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Saturday, November 28, 2020
This is said to be the statue made of Eugen Sandow from the plaster casts made in today's series of photos. It is supposedly kept out of sight in the basement of the Victoria and Albert Museum
The embellishments are easily recognizable. And unnecessary. From the hair and ridiculous moustache to the enlarged uncircumcised penis, I can see why the museum doesn't show it.
Quite obviously an over-stylized piece of plaster junk - and the V&A has far too much of it. I can't quite understand why the Kaiser Bill 'tash has been so faithfully rendered when, inexplicably, his pubic hair has been removed - even in the Victorian Classical Revival, pubic hair was always depicted. Men did not shave in Sandow's day. That only started with swimmers in the modern Olympic period - and sometimes with athletes if their pubic hair caught under the pouch of a jockstrap. But it is a fabulous fantasy.
Well, I went back and enlarged the original photo of the plaster statue, and there is a bit of pubic hair there, but not nearly as much as in the photo of Sandow with the front shown. One does wonder if it was intentionally minimized or if the plastering process didn't render it well for some reason. And yes, the V&A's sculpture collection probably didn't need this one. Having said all that, the piece should probably be shown in some appropriate venue, whatever that might be.
I rather like this. His fabulous tache, although not quite like his own as far as I know.. certainly adds something. His pubes seem just about right for statue. Was he cut or uncut? Not sure from the nude photo.
The embellishments are easily recognizable. And unnecessary. From the hair and ridiculous moustache to the enlarged uncircumcised penis, I can see why the museum doesn't show it.
ReplyDeleteGreat series, Jerry! Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed the series, Greggy. I'm somewhat surprised that Sandow apparently never posed for an actual sculpture.
DeleteQuite obviously an over-stylized piece of plaster junk - and the V&A has far too much of it. I can't quite understand why the Kaiser Bill 'tash has been so faithfully rendered when, inexplicably, his pubic hair has been removed - even in the Victorian Classical Revival, pubic hair was always depicted. Men did not shave in Sandow's day. That only started with swimmers in the modern Olympic period - and sometimes with athletes if their pubic hair caught under the pouch of a jockstrap. But it is a fabulous fantasy.
ReplyDeleteWell, I went back and enlarged the original photo of the plaster statue, and there is a bit of pubic hair there, but not nearly as much as in the photo of Sandow with the front shown. One does wonder if it was intentionally minimized or if the plastering process didn't render it well for some reason. And yes, the V&A's sculpture collection probably didn't need this one. Having said all that, the piece should probably be shown in some appropriate venue, whatever that might be.
DeleteI rather like this. His fabulous tache, although not quite like his own as far as I know.. certainly adds something. His pubes seem just about right for statue. Was he cut or uncut? Not sure from the nude photo.
ReplyDeleteBased on the era and his cultural background, probably uncut, but we can't be sure imo.
DeleteHis modest genitals seem to fit the proportions. Were they worked separately?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I don't know, but they did his body in sections, so it's possible.
Delete